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Ben Johnson stays busy trying to maximize his talent and win as much as he can. After an earlier slide, he let the youth play a spark plug role. It worked, but the energy and momentum seem to have faded with the Bears sitting at 8-7. So, back to the drawing board to let the veterans and experience try and close out the last two games and finish 10-7, hopefully on the inside of the bubble of the playoffs.
LG
Joe Thuney Replaces Kiran Amegadije
Amegadije is a versatile player, and it showed in his smooth transition from tackle to guard in those weeks he started. The offense ran the ball decently well, but the difference in pass protection was clear. Thuney is a future hall of famer, and now steps back in as a superstar ready to cry, sweat, and bleed to protect his franchise quarterback. Thuney hasn’t won over this coaching staff to finish his career, so maybe he can change that. Kiran, on the other hand, is sure to take his valuable reps and grow in the offseason into an actual starter.
C
Drew Dalman Replaces Layden Robinson
Similarly to the above replacement, Dalman is just a better player than Robinson, both against the run and pass, but the staff is hesitant to rely on him because of his contract. Dalman was a coveted free agent, but when Chicago stole Layden Robinson from a practice squad, they knew they had found a gem. He’ll be around long term and I almost guarantee it’ll be as a starter.
RG
Jonah Jackson Replaces Ozzy Trapilo
The final reversion of the starting offensive line is probably the only one that didn’t have to switch back. Ozzy has held up really well, proving himself as a second round rookie capable of playing guard or tackle. However, the staff wants cohesion and to give Jonah Jackson the same fair shot they’re giving Dalman and Thuney to keep their jobs and contracts past this first season in a new regime.
DT2 (& RUSHDT2)
Grady Jarrett Replaces Jordan Jefferson
The defense played better after the changes, but may now be back to worse off than they were before. To fix this disaster (hopefully), the veteran Jarrett gets his chance to prove he’s still a quality player at this point of his career. The Bears gave him a three-year deal, but it’s expensive and he hasn’t been the player advertised. He is fighting for his job, too.
SAM
Nicholas Morrow Replaces Ruben Hyppolite II
Ruben has started the entire year, and has been largely fine. However, the Chicago defense needs better than fine and Hyppolite will have to learn from the sidelines these last games as a fourth-round rookie. Morrow was signed to help teach the young linebackers, but now he gets his chance to shine on the field himself.
WILL
TJ Edwards Replaces Chris Paul Jr
Edwards leads Chicago’s defense in tackles for loss, largely because when Chris Paul replaced him, he replaced Tremaine Edmunds in the middle of the field as MIKE. That’s changing, though, so Edwards can be more aggressive with his pursuit and try to control some of these outside runs the Bears have struggled against. This means Edmunds and Edwards are back on the field together in the 4-3, now alongside a veteran Morrow instead of a liability late-round rookie.
SUB LB
TJ Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds Replace Ruben Hyppolite II and Chris Paul Jr
The 4-3 linebacking changes are extending to the nickel and dime packages, as well, to give the defense its best shot at cohesion and a combination of improved run and pass defense. Chris Paul has been retained on the practice squad with a futures contract, but Ruben Hyppolite II will still serve as a backup linebacker, able to sub in across the board in 4-3 packages, and will stay the third sub linebacker, not getting jumped by Nicholas Morrow in pass heavy defenses if Edmunds or Edwards needs a breather.
SS
Jaquan Brisker Replaces Tyrique Stevenson
The final change to the defensive lineup lets Jaquan Brisker back into the lineup and on the field as an every-down defender, ideally playing 100% of snaps these last two games. Tyrique Stevenson will be the starting outside cornerback opposite of Jaylon Johnson, so he’ll stay an every-down player as well, but now Brisker will get his last gasp alongside Chicago to try an earn an extension, as well as make the playoffs.
Defensive Playcaller
Fan off the Street Replaces Fakename Badcoordinator
Ben Johnson is making it clear that underperforming is unacceptable at any level of his franchise. He mentioned in this team meeting that he has to be better, too, but the defense needs more help than they’ve been given by the coaching staff. The veteran defenders should have fresh legs after being benched for a couple of games, as well as some energy by the random fan chosen to be defensive coordinator. It’s win or miss playoffs, and the Chicago Bears are trying anything and everything in their last hurrah of the 2025-2026 PML season.
